A lazy Thursday night.

A friend who has since left Montrose asked me a few days ago "You're not going to be lingering in Montrose too long are you?". Those words were interesting to me, and the individual knows this, as my effectiveness should not be seen as moreso simply because I don't live in a city of millions. I have left Montrose on two occasions since I left here in 2001 for a life on my own. And each of those homecomings have been bittersweet.

I have on one hand the loss of friends; many of them have moved away from here and on with their lives. Either that, or they have started a life of their own with a spouse and a few kids to boot.

On the second hand I have learned much about myself, about the world around me that helps me to live a life that is content; independent of my location. I am also surrounded by family and a new heap of friends, from all walks of life. I am so grateful for the many people in my life right now.

There's a saying, many people have heard it I'm sure cheesily quoted in a movie (which the name escapes me right now......) -

- Wherever you go; there you are.

Now I don't know if my context is right (I think this is about two people always being together even when they are apart), but it applies in principle. I am where I need to be. There are no coincidences in this life. It is full of purpose and meaning. I gain purpose in working a job that , to some, might be a dead-end. I gain purpose in sitting in a room full of screaming, antsy teenagers. I gain purpose in putting off my education for a time. I gain humility in living with one's parents at 25 that it most assuredly brings. Humility, brokenness, honesty and love. They each are learned in the previously listed circumstances and through my encounter with each new day.

I say this because I am not in control of my life. My life rests in a place that should be obvious. If not, I apologize for being too vague for you.